[Epidemiology and impact of nosocomial infections]

Abstract

Nosocomial infections are one of the most important problems occurring in Intensive Care Units. For this reason, the epidemiology and impact of these infections on critical patients must be known. Based on the data from the ENVIN-UCI study, the rates and etiology of the main nosocomial infections, such as ventilator-associated pneumonia, urinary tract infection and primary and secondary bloodstream infection, have been described. A review of the literature regarding the impact of different nosocomial infections on critically ill patients, particularly those caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, was also performed.